The word "Tao" means "The Way" -- the natural way of all things, that which cannot be put into words.  The goal of Taoism is to achieve a perfect emptiness -- free of desire and resistance to what is natural.  This perfect emptiness allows the believer to have a sort of mystical intuition of the Tao.  To achieve this emptiness, one must be humble, gently yielding and serene.  The good Taoist must practice wu-wei, non-action.  This is doing only that which is completely spontaneous.  Each action must come in response to a need that has naturally arisen.  Actions must never be calculated, and each effort must never exceed what is minimally required for attaining results.
    The Taoist must be still and listen to the Tao's prompting, so that she may act effortlessly and efficiently.  All actions create their opposing reactions, so those who follow the Way seek action in inaction.  The Religious Taoist must also be moral.  She must not steal, lie, or kill, because that is not the Way.  She must be affectionate and kind, sympathetic to others' suffering and joyous when they have good fortune, practice the Golden Rule, and never be pridefull.  Heaven itself follows the path of virtue, and so must the faithful.
    The Kuei-jin have a much looser interpretation of the way to achieve a mystical intuition of the Tao.  The Cathayan Taoist practices wu-wei, acting without effort and only in response to what is needed.  Taoist morality for the undead is more flexible than for the living, however.  The Book of the Ninth Immortal says: "The Way encompasses what is good and what is evil.  The celestial beings are as much a part of the Way as are the Yama Kings.  It is our nature to steal, lie and kill.  Cultivate the Hun, but embrace the P'o when it tries to dominate.  This path will lead to enlightenment."  Many Kuei-jin Taoists find themselves on the Path of a Thousand Whispers, but some Devil Tigers claim to be Taoists as well.